Leon Speakers hires 10 in Ann Arbor, acquires FL firm

Leon Speakers isn't only the little company that could. This year it became the little company that could acquire. The Ann Arbor-based firm that makes custom speaker systems acquired Media Decor. The Florida-based company makes custom frames for flatscreen TVs. Leon Speakers had been working with the company for years before executing the acquisition in September. "We wanted to expand into the genre," says Noah Kaplan, president & founder of Leon Speakers. Leon Speakers got its start in 1997, building custom speakers using silk screens and exotic hardwoods. Its calling card became building beautiful speakers that could be installed into odd places. It now has a staff of 45 employees and one intern. It has hired 10 people over the last year, including professionals in marketing, engineering, manufacturing and skilled labor. It it currently looking to hire five people who work in production and sales. Propelling that growth is Leon Speakers’ gains in the commercial and international markets. Overall the company’s revenue is up nearly 30 percent over the last year. "We have really expanded globally," Kaplan says. "We're making gains in Latin America, Asia and New Zealand." While the growth is welcome, Kaplan is looking to reign it in a bit. In 2014, the company is looking to consolidate its gains and bring even more focus on product quality. "I want to focus on our internal operations," Kaplan says. "I want to turn away from constant growth mode to focus on making great products and sell them to great customers." Source: Noah Kaplan, president & founder of Leon Speakers Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.